Rufus Hound thinks all-male panel shows "should be a thing of the past".
The 35-year-old comedian – who was a panellist on ‘Celebrity Juice’ from 2008 to 2012 – has backed the BBC’s decision to ban panels consisting of only men on its shows including ‘Mock the Week’ and ‘Have I Got News for You’.
He said: "All-male panel shows should be a thing of the past because we live in a world awash with funny women.
"Panel shows often set out a combative premise because traditionally, men like the feeling of a fight, so the nature of those shows may have to change to allow women the tools to be as incredibly funny as they are.
Rufus feels it’s unlikely talented female comics like the legendary Victoria Wood would agree to appear on panel shows in their current form because they are so testosterone-fuelled.
He explained to the Metro newspaper: "There’s no way you’re telling me Victoria Wood isn’t funny but she wouldn’t do a panel show in a month of Sundays.
"[Lorna] Watson and [Ingrid] Oliver, two funnier people I couldn’t dream of spending my time with, but ask them to go on ‘Mock the Week’ and they’d rather be sick on themselves. It’s just about growing up as a species."
Rufus Hound backs all-male panel show ban
